Visit Chaumont Sur Loire

Let's visit the extraordinary historic chateau and gardens of Chaumont Sur Loire today. There is a lot to see, you could spend days at Chaumont, because there are extensive gardens, stables, and the chateau itself. An exciting place to soak in the history of France, but also to be amazed and inspired by the many large scaled art works by a variety of artists from around the world. I hope you enjoy today's Notes from the Road, our Visit Chaumont Sur Loire. {Maybe pour yourself a cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer?}

A Very Brief History of Chaumont Sur Loire

The fortress of Chaumont-sur-Loire was built around the year 1000 to keep watch over the border between the counties of Blois and Anjou. In 1465, Louis XI had the château burned and razed to the ground. Fortunately, it was rebuilt just a few years later. Owned by the Amboise family for 500 years, it was Charles II d’Amboise who made it into an ornamental château in the Renaissance style, with sculpted decoration as the major feature of its outer façades. Catherine de Medici acquired the Domaine in 1550, she didn't change much, and gave the chateau to Diane de Poitiers in 1560. The King's former favorite had work done which gave it its current appearance. The completion of the parapet walkways of the tower-flanked entrance and the Saint-Nicolas tower were done under her ownership. In 1750, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray ordered the destruction of the north wing, opening up an unparalleled view of the Loire. He hosted the Italian sculptor Jean-Baptiste Nini, and the château now has France's finest collection of the famous sculptor's "one-of-a-kind" medallions. In 1875, Marie-Charlotte-Constance Say purchased the château and married Prince Henri-Amédée de Broglie. She decorated with Renaissance furniture, and oversaw all the work required to make her residence worthy of the great receptions she wanted to host there. Her architect Paul-Ernest Sanson designed the luxurious stables, while architect Marcel Boille designed the model farm. Ceded to the State by Princess of Orleans and Bourbon in 1938, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is now the property of the Centre Region since 2007.

ART SAISON At Chaumont Sur Loire

Every year, artists grace the Domain's Château and grounds with their creative genius. Chaumont hosts many art exhibitions every year, and they also have permanent art exhibits you can go view. To say that the work exhibited there is entralling is an understatement. The floral displays at certain times of year are superb! Some permanent art exhibits include the wood sculpture of gigantic size by Brazilian born artist Henrique Oliveira. The event that puts Chaumont on the map in a huge way is the International Garden Festival. Garden designers and landscape artists from around the world are invited to create show gardens around a chosen theme. This year’s International Garden Festival had the theme of Ideal Garden. The Festival dates are April 21 - Nov. 6. There are many permanent garden features that are spectacular, too, should you miss the Festival dates. The chateau gardens and outbuildings are huge, with lots of natural beauty enhanced with sculpture and installations, some permanently there and some only for the Festival. All of them are not just beautiful but also thought provoking and inspirational! You can wander around for hours, days, really, it's a magical place to explore.

QUAND FLEURIR EST UN ART 2022

Between Oct. 7-11, the Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire’s Arts and Nature Centre will be holding the fourth edition of Quand Fleurir est un Art, an event devoted to floral art with presentation of creations by great floral design artists from France and elsewhere. Spectacular, poetic contemporary floral installations decorate the chateau and other areas. It's truly breathtaking! These are some snaps from years past. All in all, you can visit Chaumont for days and not be bored! Many visitors buy a two day pass and stay overnight nearby, to really explore everything Chaumont has to offer. Check out their website, and maybe add this to your dream trip to France! Each room has so much history, it's as if the walls whisper of ages past, and grand events with people dressed in evening gowns and suits, some in diamond tiaras, even.

Visit CHAUMONT:

Chaumont opens at 10:00 am each day, I'd advise that you get there when it opens. Check on their website to see if they sell tickets ahead of time. The cost is reasonable I think, for how much there is to see. The entrance ranges between 14-19 Euros for adults, with a two day pass costing 33 Euros. A family pass for two adults and two children is between 28-30 Euros, depending on the time of year. In order to take full advantage of the Domaine during the high season, opt for the 2-Day Pass if you are staying nearby, it's valid for two consecutive days. You can also stay at the Hotel on site, it's quite beautiful, modern and very accommodating. The restaurant at Chaumont is quite surprising, and the food is exceptional.

SET ASIDE ENOUGH TIME TO VISIT CHAUMONT:

I hope you have enjoyed our Visit Chaumont Sur Loire. France is always a good idea!

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